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The Ghost In My Machine

Stories of the Strange and Unusual

The Most Dangerous Games: Jelangkung

November 27, 2019 by Lucia

Previously: The Game Of The Scissors And The Book.

Note: Please don’t copy/paste or republish the text of this post on other websites without permission.

The Indonesian spirit communication game Jelangkung, also known as Jailangkung, has a long, long history behind it. The goal is similar to a number of other games we’ve looked at here at TGIMM — that is, through the game, you’re meant to summon a spirit in order to chat with it through what’s ultimately a form of automatic writing — but it accomplishes it in a way that’s slightly different than what we typically see: Rather than channeling the spirit through a bow compass, or a coin, or a planchette, Jelangkung has the spirit enter a homemade doll. You’re meant to give the spirit a rough human form of the sort it’s lacked since it crossed over.

A jelangkung doll

Jelangkung’s roots lie in the Chinese practice of Cai Lan Gong — literally “vegetable basket diety” — which dates back to the fifth century CE. Cai Lan Gong involved forming what would later become known as a planchette out of a basket and channeling a spirit through the device.  I say “involved” because the practice had more or less died out by the 1950s; however, before it did so, it spread — and as it spread, it evolved. In Indonesia, it became Jelangkung or Jailangkung — both terms being “homophonic renditions” of Cai Lan Gong, as Margaret Chan, who has published a considerable amount of academic research on the tradition, notes. Other versions exist, too; on a specific Indonesian island, for example — Java — there’s a similar practice called Nini Towang. What’s more, modern incarnations combine elements of both Jelangkung and Nini Towang, showing that the game is continuing to evolve to this very day.

[Like what you read? Check out Dangerous Games To Play In The Dark, available from Chronicle Books now!]

Traditionally, the Jelangkung doll is made with a basket, while the Nini Towang doll is made with a coconut shell ladle; interestingly, though, numerous videos made by Indonesian YouTubers depicting the game in action refer to it as “Jelangkung,” but feature dolls made out of ladles or whole coconut shells — that is, the name of the game is Jelangkung, while the doll is closer to the variety used in Nini Towang.

Indeed, these days, there are a lot of different ways to play Jelangkung: You can make a whole doll, or just dress up a basket; you can position the writing implement in the doll’s chest, attach it to its arm, or tied to the bottom; you can have the doll write itself, or you can have it point to letters à la the Compass Game, Kokkuri-san, or a good ol’ fashioned Ouija board; and so on and so forth. The version below is primarily based on what I see today’s players doing, although there are a few nods to more traditional versions included as well; furthermore, the Additional Notes section offers a few suggestions if you’d like to try a variation or two.

As always, play at your own risk.

Players:

  • At least three participants.

Requirements:

  • A ladle or water dipper, ideally fashioned from the shell of a coconut. (See here for an example.)
  • A small stick.
  • String, yarn, or twine.
  • A length of cloth.
  • A writing tool, ideally a pen or marker.
  • A supply of paper.
  • Scissors.
  • A key.
  • Incense.
  • Candles.
  • Matches or a lighter.
  • A quiet, dark room.
  • Questions.
  • Courage.

Instructions:

Making The Doll:

  1. First, make the doll itself: Lay the ladle in front of you, positioned vertically with the bowl of the ladle at the top.
  2. Hold the small stick horizontally and place it on top of the ladle’s handle, an inch or two down from the bowl. The stick and the ladle should form a cross — or, more accurately, the rough shape of a person.
  3. With the scissors, cut a length of twine. Use this length of twine to lash the small stick to the ladle’s handle at the point where they cross. Make sure the stick and the ladle are tied tightly together; neither should be able to slip out of the twine binding.
  4. This is your doll. The bowl of the ladle is the head. The handle of the ladle is the body. The stick forms the arms.
  5. Cut another length of twine. Use it to tie the pen or marker to the bottom of the ladle’s handle. If you were to uncap the pen or marker, you should be able to write with it — as if the entire doll were a writing tool.
  6. Make the doll’s clothing: Fold the length of cloth in half. At the fold, use the scissors to cut a semi-circle out of the cloth. When unfolded, the cloth should now have a hole at its center, just slightly larger than the bowl of the ladle.
  7. Dress the doll: Push the bowl of the ladle through the hole in the cloth, letting the rest of the material drape around the doll’s arms and body.
  8. Cut another length of twine. Gather the loose cloth at the doll’s waist and tie it in place with the twine. Think of the garment as a poncho for the doll.
  9. Cut one more length of twine. Thread it through the top of the key, then tie it off — as if you were making a doll-sized necklace.
  10. Place the necklace with the key around the doll’s neck.
  11. Your doll is complete. You are ready to begin.

Playing The Game:

  1. Wait until nightfall.
  2. Gather all the participants. Choose one participant to act as Summoner. The remaining participants will act as Doll Keepers.
  3. Together, bring the Jelangkung doll, paper, incense, candles, and matches or lighter to your chosen playing space.
  4. Place the paper on the floor.
  5. Position the candles and incense around the room. Light them using the matches or lighter.
  6. If the room has lamps, overhead lights, or other light sources, turn them off.
  7. Gather around the paper.
  8. Have the two Doll Keepers pick up the doll and, holding it by its body, balance it atop the paper. The writing tip of the pen should rest lightly on the paper’s surface.
  9. Sit.
  10. Wait.
  11. When the moment feels right, the Summoner should chant the following mantra: “Jelangkung, Jelangsat, di sini ada pesta, pesta kecil-kecilan. Jelangkung, Jelangsat, datang tak diundang, pulang tak diantar.” (In English: “Jelangkung jelangsat, we have a party here, a small party. Jelangkung jelangsat, come uninvited, go undelivered.”)
  12. Summoner: Repeat this mantra as many times as necessary.
  13. Doll Keepers: Sit. Wait. Pay attention.
    • If nothing changes: The ritual has failed; a spirit has not entered the doll. Turn on the lights, extinguish the candles and incense, and depart the premises. You may try again another time.
    • If the doll grows heavy: The ritual has succeeded; a spirit has entered the doll. You may proceed.
  14. Summoner: Ask the spirit to introduce itself.
  15. Sit.
  16. Wait.
  17. Doll Keepers: If the doll begins to move across the paper, let it. Support it, but do not guide it. Let it guide you. Watch the paper; see what it writes.
  18. Summoner: Ask the spirit how it died.
  19. Sit.
  20. Wait.
  21. Doll Keepers: If the doll begins to move across the paper, let it. Support it, but do not guide it. Let it guide you. Watch the paper; see what it writes.
    • NOTE: Do NOT ask ANY OTHER QUESTIONS before asking the spirit to introduce itself or inquiring as to how it died.
  22. The participants may now take turns asking the spirit whatever questions they wish to ask. These questions may be of any nature; however, participants would do well to remember that their correspondent is not necessarily omniscient.
  23. Watch the doll after each question. The Doll Keepers should continue to support it, but not guide it. Let it guide you. Watch the paper; see what it writes. These are your answers.
  24. Pay attention to your correspondent’s responses. If they begin to grow quiet, or erratic, or otherwise begin to behave differently, it is time to end the game.

Bidding Farewell:

  1. When you have determined that it is time to end the game, have the Summoner thank the spirit for coming and state that it is time for it to go home.
  2. Doll Keepers: Keep holding the doll.
  3. Have the Summoner bid the spirit farewell.
  4. Doll Keepers: Keep holding the doll.
  5. Sit.
  6. Wait.
  7. Pay attention.
    1. If nothing changes: You may not yet leave the game. The spirit has not left the doll. Have the Summoner thank the spirit, state that it is time for it to go home, and bid it farewell again. Repeat this action until you observe a different outcome.
    2. If the doll becomes lighter: Doll Keepers, you may now put down the doll; participants, you may now leave the game. The spirit has left the doll. Turn on the lights, extinguish the candle and incense, gather your supplies, and depart the premises.
  8. Do NOT leave the game until the spirit has left the doll — not unless you want your correspondent sticking around. (You do not want your correspondent sticking around.)
  9. If, instead of becoming lighter, the doll becomes heavier — increasingly so — impossibly so…
  10. …There are no guidelines for what to do next.
  11. You’ll have to figure it out for yourself.

Additional Notes:

The Jelangkung doll may be made in a number of different ways. Options include:

  • Instead of cutting a hole in the middle of the cloth, tie the cloth around the point where the stick and the ladle meet after lashing the two pieces together. Tie the marker or pen up with it, such that the point of the pen sticks out from the doll’s chest. (See here for an example.)
  • Instead of using a ladle and a stick for the doll’s body, use a basket. Instead of a length of cloth, dress the basket in a shirt. Force the pen or marker into the side of the basket such that it protrudes outward. You may use sticks or other materials to form a head and arms for the doll, but these ornamental elements are optional. (See here for an example.)
    • NOTE: If the doll is made in either of these ways, players should hold the paper up vertically before the doll, rather than standing the doll up on the paper. In these cases, it is therefore recommended that players use a notebook for the paper, so as to provide a firm enough surface on which the doll may write.
  • Give the doll not just a body, arms, and head, but also a face, as in the Javanese game Nini Towong. (See here for more information.)

Players may use a variety of different chants or mantras to summon the spirit to the doll. Options include:

Thai lam sin. Thai lam fa,

Pat nyet sip ng. Chiang nyi ha loi ` kau jit ja.

Oi loi tu loi. Ng ho jit sin. Khi ngoi ngoi.

Oi hi tu hi. Ng ho jit sin. Ta liong thi.

Cuk jap co son. Pun nyi cho. Ten sim tham khiau. Pun nyi ko.

In English:

Big basket spirit. Big flower basket,

On this eighth moon night, come down to play.

If you wish to come, then come, but do not just stand stock still.

If you wish to leave, leave but do not rebel.

Bamboo reeds make you a boat. Light the lanterns; make a bridge to cross.

Participants may use specific methods for “yes” or “no” questions. Options include:

  • Prior to the summoning of the spirit, place a cup of coffee and a glass of water near the doll. After the spirit has been summoned, ask a “yes” or “no” question and watch the doll. If the doll dips the key around its neck into the coffee, the answer is “yes.” If the doll dips the key into the water, the answer is “no.” If the doll does neither, the answer is “maybe,” “I don’t know,” or “I don’t wish to answer.”
  • Prior to the summoning of the spirit, write the words “yes” and “no” on the paper. After the spirit has been summoned, ask a “yes” or “no” question and watch the doll. If the doll moves to or circles the word “yes,” the answer is “yes.” If the doll moves to or circles the word “no,” the answer is “no.” If the doll does neither, the answer is “maybe,” “I don’t know,” or “I don’t wish to answer.”

For Best Results:

Play at dusk.

Play on the night of a full moon.

And play in a location with a certain… reputation.

You know the kind I mean.

Good luck.

Jelangkung: FAQ.

***

Please don’t copy or republish this post on other sites. Linking to it or sharing the URL is fine (and encouraged!), as is writing your own unique version of the game, but copying/pasting, republishing, or otherwise reproducing the text of this piece in its entirety or near-entirety on other websites without permission isn’t.

***

Support The Ghost In My Machine on Patreon for behind-the-scenes access and other bonus content.You can also follow on Twitter @GhostMachine13 and on Facebook @TheGhostInMyMachine.And for more games, don’t forget to check out Dangerous Games To Play In The Dark, available now from Chronicle Books!

[Photo via screenshot/BIC Productions]

Filed Under: Games Tagged With: Automatic writing, Cai Lan Gong, dolls, games you shouldn't play, Indonesia, Jailangkung, jelangkung, Nini Thowang, spirit writing, The Most Dangerous Games

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. occult lover says

    January 15, 2021 at 2:27 pm

    I’m an Indonesian with Chinese ancestry. This Jelangkung thing, as what you mentioned, is a more … animated variation of the asking game (Ouija, Kokkuri, you name it), although Jelankung has been rarely performed in comparison to other summoning games due to … reasons.

    The thing is many Asian cultures (particularly South East Asia and East Asia) believe that giving supernatural entities a form grants them more power in the tangible world, meaning that the entities summoned via these vessels might exert more power than, for example, via a board or planchette (this is more of a superstition, I can’t say for sure). And we know that even entities claiming or seeming to be benign might not be so.

    Thus it is said that entities summoned with Jelankung might be potentially be more malignant and more difficult to be asked to leave. Most of the stories I heard revolve the players having to force the summoned entity to go, and we all know just because they seem to leave doesn’t mean it must be so.

    Particularly interested that you mentioned the Basket Game (Chai Lan Gong), we also have a version of that in Indonesia, particularly popular amongst Chinese-Indonesian people in North Sumatra (e.g. Medan). It’s like an Ouija Board, but with a basket (in Indonesia it’s made of woven bamboo/rattan palm), but a small ceramic saucer (碟 [Chinese]; cawan [Indonesian]) can be used in place, thus the local name ‘Dewa Cawan’ (translates as Saucer/Cup Deity in English). Some versions may even use a parasol, which makes it more dangerous as it’s rumored the parasol may fly away midgame, making the game unfinishable, and as a sign of malevolent entity.

    My mother has an account about Dewa Cawan (not a firsthand account but rather what her classmates experienced, as she refused to participate in the game, she was about 13 at that time). Her version somewhat differs in that after the game concludes, you MUST ask what it wants in return for being summoned and asking your questions and here it can be scary.

    In the case of my mothers’ classmates case, upon conclusion, the entity asked for 3 things: a red cloth, a freshly slaughtered chicken, and the soul of the child of one of the participants. Immediately one of the participants (not the one whose future child was concerned) forced a goodbye and broke the ceramic saucer they were using.
    Whether the unfortunate classmate got harmed in the future or not as well as her children is not known (my mother lost contact with her).
    Needless to say, my mother forbids very strictly such games.

    Reply
  2. Samantha says

    April 14, 2020 at 8:39 am

    You don’t really need a dark room to play this game. You can literally play wherever you want. But I guess it is more efficient in places that don’t really have a reputation for this kind of stuff. But in Indonesia people would just play in their garage or front lawn in broad daylight.

    Reply
  3. Owen says

    February 14, 2020 at 7:08 pm

    Hang on.. Can you say the mantra in English? What if you mispronounce the words?

    Reply
  4. Bidhiying says

    February 8, 2020 at 8:46 pm

    I played this game at high school, ten years ago, at daytime. Instead of making a doll, we just used a pen. I can’t remember if we ask for the spirit’s identity before we proceed, but looks like it’s not arbitrary. What chills me to this day is when it precisely predict my new bike that I haven’t bought yet. I laughed because it is not the one that I want most. But six month later it really happened. I don’t know how, but still it is so strange. We didn’t ask for any complicated question as we just do it for fun and we finish the game unharmed

    Reply
  5. Windy says

    January 16, 2020 at 5:05 am

    My cousin told me that when she was kids, people liked to play this game in our hometown. Adults would gather and kids would watch as the players summoned the ghost so it wasn’t a scary situation at all. More like a bizzare form of entertainment. Once suceeded, they would ask for lottery numbers (back then government lottery existed). After playing and telling the ghost to return, they would throw the doll to the river, hoping the current to wash it far away. Needless to say, the story made all of us speechless.

    Reply
  6. Holly says

    January 4, 2020 at 6:43 pm

    So… Me and 3 of my friends played at the Home for the Elderly (Sorry grandma) and… well the doll got heavier. It all went to plan up until step 13. It got heavier as it should have, but continued to gain weight until it was, quote “Impossibly heavy”. We quickly ended the ritual- Without Asking- and left (I mean ran. we shat ourselves and ran out of a Nursing home). What do we do? We want to try again, but are scared the same thing will happen and we’ll fuck up our lives (I mean, we probably just exterminated everyone at the NH). Help us!

    Reply
    • Egg says

      February 10, 2020 at 2:18 am

      You are incredibly lucky to still be among the living. In fact, you are lucky enough I’d suggest you buy a lottery ticket.

      You are not lucky enough to survive again. Do not play this game again. Never attempt to contact that which you do not understand again. Be wary of dark rooms.

      Reply
    • Samantha says

      April 14, 2020 at 8:36 am

      Usually in Indonesia they just put the doll in a basket as some believe that this will remove the spirit from the doll. You can also perform a cleansing ritual if you want. Also, after playing it is best to take the doll apart (after ending the game) and burying it somewhere to dispose of it.

      Reply
  7. rezal says

    December 17, 2019 at 12:28 am

    a little note…
    it will be more effective if using a water dipper that has been used to clean a dead person…

    Reply
  8. Phoenix says

    December 8, 2019 at 1:32 am

    I love your work! Thanks for making an article about this game (Sorry about the English btw, not my first language). My mother told me she and her friends used to play this when she was young. And then someone tried to play this (along with Charlie Charlie I believe) in my junior high school greenhouse (don’t know why) which led to mass possessions. This happened after I graduated but a mass possession did also occur during my first year of junior high. They even had us take a day off and called a dukun, if I remembered correctly. I guess that means my junior high school is semi-haunted?🤣

    Oh and one more thing. While “Tak diantar” can be translated as “undelivered”, I think in this case it’s more like “unescorted” as in, “I’m not gonna escort you to the door so you can go” which gives the implication that it might, uh, stay.

    Reply
    • Lucia says

      January 13, 2020 at 10:37 am

      Thanks for the kind words! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the site. And thanks, too, for the additional information – your translation note definitely puts a different spin on the whole thing!

      Reply
  9. PATATO CHISPS says

    December 5, 2019 at 10:09 am

    Amazing as always! I love your work so much, this truly is an amazing website! I do have a question though. What are we to do with the doll when done using it? Do we destroy it or do we make sure it never gets damaged or used again?

    Reply
  10. Raka says

    November 28, 2019 at 8:03 pm

    Another Indonesian here. I read a story in an Indonesian forum about a guy who wrote that he played this game while he is in junior high school but he and his friends did a huge mistake of not ending his game. After that, he is haunted by ghosts until today. The ghosts are not only the spirits possessing the Jelangkung. I guess your life would be more uneasy if you didn’t end the game, but I think that this might not be the worst that could happen IF YOU DIDN’T END THE GAME.

    Reply
  11. Mariko says

    November 27, 2019 at 6:39 pm

    Great work again Lucia! I always enjoy reading these
    I also have a question or two. What would you say is the utmost dangerous game you’ve covered? Would you ever play it? And do these games ever scare you, in the sense of researching about them all the time?
    Also, I think an interesting one to cover would be the Shower Man Ritual.
    But again, an amazing read like always. Thank you for making these consistently 🙂

    Reply
  12. Niereal says

    November 27, 2019 at 9:07 am

    Wow, thanks for listing a game that came from my country, i will give a few warnings to those who are foolish enough to play :
    – the spirit that possess the doll isn’t necessarily benevolent
    – you must maintain politeness troughout the game, lest you anger the spirit
    – sometime the spirit come, but dont play by the rule, for example they choose to possess the player instead of the doll
    – not only playing in haunted area has bigger chance for summoning success, but also bigger danger, depending of where you play

    Reply
    • Ayesha says

      November 28, 2019 at 3:41 pm

      Thank you for the tips

      Reply
    • Zacarias says

      December 19, 2019 at 5:47 am

      Finally, someone says it. It is not at all brave or smart to play any of these dangerous games.

      Reply

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